Ngā Hau E Whā National Marae, Christchurch
Ngā Hau e Whā National Marae is a large marae in the Christchurch suburb of Bromley. The marae opened in May 1990 and is administered by Te Rūnanga o Ngā Maata Waka, a local pan-tribal Urban Māori authority.
The site was set aside by the Christchurch City Council for use as a marae in 1977. The location was part of Cuthbert's Green park. The planned marae triggered 180 complaints from nearby residents, but the marae project went ahead. The site is immediately adjacent to the Christchurch Wastewater Treatment Plant.
Construction of the marae began in 1981. During the construction the project ran out of money, and ownership of the land was transferred to the New Zealand Government.
One of the earliest installations at the marae was the carved entrance gateway, titled Te Amorangi, unveiled in late 1982. The carving depicts William Hobson and a Māori chief signing the Treaty of Waitangi, as a symbol of the coming-together of Pākehā and Māori. The lone chief is symbolic of the various Ngāi Tahu rangatira (chief) that signed the treaty on behalf of their iwi.
The main wharenui of the marae is named Aoraki, in reference to the Māori creation myth of the South Island. It is the largest wharenui of its kind in New Zealand. The construction utilised local unemployed people as labourers, to give opportunities to the community. One of the wall carvings depicts explorer James Cook, to represent that Pākehā are also welcome.
The marae was officially opened in 1990 during a ceremony by Minister of Māori Affairs Koro Wētere.
In the aftermath of the 2010 Christchurch earthquake, the marae hosted 26 government agencies to make them accessible to the community. This included hosting a day-to-day criminal court, an initiative that was praised by the New Zealand Law Society.
In 2018, a social housing facility opened on the grounds of the marae.
The marae hosted a walk-in vaccination clinic during the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2021 a medical centre opened at the marae, providing low-cost access to general practitioners.
References
Bibliography
- Christchurch City Council, "Ngā Hau e Whā National Marae", Christchurch City Council Libraries, archived from the original on 21 February 2024, retrieved 13 August 2024
Citations
- ^ Christchurch City Council.
- ^ "Marae of the South Island", RNZ, 22 March 2017, archived from the original on 1 September 2024, retrieved 5 September 2024
- ^ "New emergency pods in marae to help prepare for future natural disasters in South Island", RNZ News, 19 December 2023, retrieved 5 September 2024
- ^ Brown, Giles (3 April 2011), "Marae to host court hearings", Stuff, retrieved 5 September 2024
- ^ Cairns, Lois (18 June 2011), "Marae court respected by local offenders", Stuff, retrieved 5 September 2024
- ^ "Chch marae's social housing opens after 7 years", RNZ, 2 March 2018, retrieved 5 September 2024
- ^ Kenny, Jake (23 January 2022), "Covid-19: Where to get a walk-in booster in Canterbury", Stuff, retrieved 5 September 2024
- ^ Broughton, Cate (24 September 2021), "Health provider falls out with iwi over medical centre plan at marae", Stuff, retrieved 5 September 2024
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